Method and automated apparatus for photocomposing

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention is for an automated photocomposing apparatus and improvements in a method of operating such a photocomposing apparatus. The apparatus includes (A) means for storing and supplying severed sheets of plastic film; (B) means for dispensing and leveling a liquid photocurable composition on a sheet of plastic film; (C) a housing having at one end an actinic light source and at the other end a support adapted to receive thereon a supported liquid photocurable composition which on exposure to actinic light through an image bearing transparency becomes selectively insolubilized in the exposed portions thereof; (D) a vertically disposed posterior photocuring station; (E) an etching bath energized by ultrasonic energy; (F) a washing bath; (G) an air-drying station disposed adjacent the washing bath; and (H) a horizontally disposed posterior photocuring station for finally curing the processed plate. A plurality of conveying means transfer sheets from location (A) to location (H) in automated sequence. The invention is especially useful in preparing a developable printing plate from a liquid photocurable composition.

United States Patent Miller et al.

[4 1 Jan. 18, 1972 [54] METHOD AND AUTOMATED Primary Examiner-4. Travis Brown APPARATUS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING Assistant Examiner-Edward C. Kimlin AnorneyEugene M. Bond and Kenneth E. Prince [72] Inventors: Wesley W. Miller, Wyncote; Gerold Litschi, Lansdale; Warren A. Bixler, Warminister, all of Pa.

[73] Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: June 6, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 830,972

[52] US. Cl ..96/35.l, 96/36 [51] Int. Cl [58] Field ofSearch ..96/35.1, 36; 134/1 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 3,074,869 l/l963 Workman ..96/35.1 3,462,267 8/1969 Giangualano et a1. .....96/35.l 3,081,168 3/1963 Leekley et al. ..96/35 1 3,129,098 4/1964 Kitson 96/351 3,422,479 1/1969 Jeffee ..l34/1 3,405 ,916 10/1968 Carmichael ..134/1 2,967,119 1/1961 Gutterman ..l34/30 [5 7] ABSTRACT The disclosed invention is for an automated photocomposing apparatus and improvements in a method of operating such a photocomposing apparatus. The apparatus includes (A) means for storing and supplying severed sheets of plastic film;

- (B) means for dispensing and leveling a liquid photocurable composition on a sheet of plastic film; (C) a housing having at one end an actinic light source and at the other end a support adapted to receive thereon a supported liquid photocurable composition which on exposure to actinic light through an image bearing transparency becomes selectively insolubilized in the exposed portions thereof; (D) a vertically disposed posterior photocuring station; (E) an etching bath energized by ultrasonic energy; (F) a washing bath; (G) an air-drying station disposed adjacent the washing bath; and (H) a horizontally disposed posterior photocuring station for finally curing the processed plate. A plurality of conveying means transfer sheets from location (A) to location (H) in automated sequence. The invention is especially useful in preparing a developable printing plate from a liquid photocurable composition.

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2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic energy level of the bath varies between about 18 to about 40 kilocycles.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said final photocuring is effected during plate transfer over the photocuring station to a receiving station.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid photocurable composition is applied to the support surface by a substantially automated applicator which includes means for applying a liquid photocurable composition to the support surface and means for leveling the applied composition such to provide a substantially uniform thickness of composition over the support surface.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein heated air is directed against the applied liquid photocurable composition to provide a layer of composition substantially free of air bubbles which may be entrapped by the composition. 